PINA

Turaga Bale Na Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has been sworn in as the seventh President of Fiji. Ratu Naiqama, the former Speaker of Parliament, was elected after getting 37 votes. Following his swearing-in Ratu Naiqama addressed the guard of honour and thanked the military and asked them to uphold the rule of law. He has urged them to serve Fijians wholeheartedly. “It...

Retired President of the Fiji Court of Appeal, Justice Filimoni Jitoko, was today elected Speaker at a special sitting of the Parliament of Fiji. Jitoko was nominated by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and received 34 votes to be declared the new Speaker of Parliament. The Prime Minister praised Jitoko as an eminent jurist, an illustrious diplomat, a senior civil servant,...

At the opening of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called on global leaders to intensify their efforts in combating climate change, urging decisive action on climate finance, resilience, and international cooperation. Stiell made a stark appeal to the COP29 conference, emphasising that the time for incremental progress has passed. “Show determination and ingenuity here at...

Countries at the two-week COP29 climate summit gave the go-ahead on Monday to carbon credit quality standards which are critical to launching a UN-backed global carbon market that would fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The green light was an early deal on day one of the UN conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Governments are also meant to hammer out...

Fiji’s Parliament has a new Speaker. Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko took the position this morning, following a 34-15 vote that secured him the role. He succeeds Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who has transitioned to become Fiji’s President-elect. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka nominated Jitoko, while Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu put forward Rupeni Nadalo, a former deputy Speaker, as the rival candidate. Jitoko’s appointment marks...

By Kambes Kesolei Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr has clinched another term in office, decisively defeating former President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr in a race that initially seemed poised for a close finish. This time, Whipps achieved a notable 57.5 percent of the vote (4,323 votes) compared to Remengesau’s 41.3 percent (3,106 votes), marking one of the largest margins in Palau’s...

The dire reality of the climate crisis was highlighted for the world to remember as 40,000 delegates, including a strong representation from Pacific Island countries, gather for the Twenty-Ninth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). “Colleagues, we are on a road to ruin. But these are not future problems. Climate change is already...

As thousands of delegates descend upon Azerbaijan for 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the lead Coordinator for the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) for the Mitigation Workstream, Toiata Uili of Samoa, has issued a timely reminder to all. “1.5 for Small Island Developing States is non-negotiable, this is vital, we...

Facing physical and ecological threats, Pacific Island experts are demanding their experience, and history is better understood to inform local and global climate action. Releasing a research report by 100 scholars, Professor Steven Ratuva said “Pacific ways of knowing and doing” could cut through the politics and economics that usually prevailed at climate negotiations. “We're not going anywhere, we're staying right...

Following another year of record-high global heat and extreme weather events, UN climate chief Simon Stiell told negotiators at COP29 in Baku that setting an ambitious new climate finance target is crucial for the well-being of all nations, including the wealthiest and most powerful. “Let’s dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity;” runaway climate change is impacting “every...